Wärmenetze 4.0 im Kontext der Wärmewende

translated title: Innovative District Heating Grids in the context of climate action: Recommendations for a policy framework to foster climate-friendly district heating

District heating is already an important part of the German energy system and contributes to a secure supply of heat that is of high value for cities and municipalities. The Federal Government's ambitious energy and climate policy objectives now requires that existing buildings will be made climate-neutral within the next few decades.

Innovative district heat systems can play a crucial role in achieving this long-term goal. District heating grids can be an important link to the integration of renewable energy sources into the heat supply while significantly facilitating the use of energy-efficient generation and waste heat. As a result, commercial and industrial sources of waste heat can only be used in a practical way through the infrastructure of the grid-connected heat supply.

This policy paper shows how adjustments to the regulatory framework can have a positive impact on the structural change of the district heat supply, as is required by climate policy. Using selected examples, it should become clear which political framework is required so that low-temperature heat networks (heating grids 4.0), in particular, can contribute to a successful heat transition.